Ghanaian forward Iñaki Williams has opened up about the emotional toll of Athletic Bilbao’s difficult campaign, following their painful exit from the Copa del Rey at the hands of arch-rivals Real Sociedad.
The Ghana national football team attacker played the full 90 minutes in the decisive second leg on Wednesday night at the Reale Arena. However, Bilbao were unable to overturn the setback suffered in the first leg at San Mamés Stadium, ultimately bowing out of the competition with a 2-0 aggregate defeat.
For the Basque club, the current campaign has fallen short of expectations after the highs of last season, when coach Ernesto Valverde guided the team back into European competition following a lengthy absence.
This term has proven far more challenging. After 26 matches in La Liga, Athletic Bilbao sit ninth on the table with 35 points, struggling to maintain the consistency that defined their previous campaign.
Their continental journey was equally disappointing. Competing in the UEFA Champions League, the Spanish side failed to make a meaningful impact and exited during the group stage, finishing among the tournament’s underwhelming performers.
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In the aftermath of the semifinal defeat, Williams revealed the depth of the squad’s disappointment, admitting the mood inside the dressing room was bleak.
“The dressing room feels like a funeral; we are hurting. It hurts because they are our eternal rivals and because we were not at our usual level,” he said.
“The season is proving how difficult it is for us, and our fans deserved a little joy.”
Meanwhile, Real Sociedad will now turn their attention to the final, where they are set to battle Atlético Madrid for the trophy on April 18, 2026.
